The Show Must Go On

Thus sang Freddy Mercury, seriously ill and close to the end of his life, in 1990.

On the sunny island it seems that it is the Games that must go on. Sri Lanka may have lost the bid to host the Commonwealth Games, but they will host the Asian Youth Games in 2017 at a cost of US$300m.

The leadership cannot be faulted for lack of tenacity. Never mind that this admirable trait should probably be directed towards the many pressing problems that plague the country instead of sports. This is the familiar cry of the critics but what harm in one event, just one, that will put us on the map?

In July last year, Sri Lanka was supposed to host an IPL style Premier League but that flopped, ostensibly due to the lack of participation by Indian cricketers, but more probably because it was being organised without consultation with the relevant cricket boards. Cricket is a well organised sport and it is necessary to work through the proper channels and protocols if something is to happen. One cannot dream up something and then expect the rest of the world to go through various contortions to conform to our pressing needs. We expect it, but it does not always happen.

Happily, the team names were transferred to rugby and this year we witnessed the Carlton Super 7's, complete with Bollywood stars, just like the IPL. No sense in wasting a good idea, eh?

Rugby however, is small beer compared to cricket, so the putative Premier League is back, for a second innings, so to speak.

Like the Premier League, it seems that the Olympic dream still burns bright and true, hence the Youth Games; surely only a stepping stone to greater things.

In between the various bids for sporting attractions, Colombo also played host to a night race tied to a music festival.

The only thing unusual about the night race was the host city: the capital Colombo. Most of the others are either centred on, or feature Hambantota. This will shortly be rectified however, for a race track is planned for Hambantota.

All in all, it seems that we need not one, but many events, all of which will put us on the map. It's a new trend in marketing, putting cities on the world map but what is the underlying driver of it all? It is surely the one thing that makes the world go round: Love.

The ruler's love for their hometown and country is undisputed and second to none. Pure and unconditional, it determines all policy. Who can fault love? Actions in its name must surely be good and as Freddy said, don't stop me now.

Queen has such great music. Artistry of a high order and so profound. Perhaps we should also remember that he warned that, too much love can kill, just as none at all. Perhaps we should make it our anthem.

 ...Too much love will kill you
If you can't make up your mind
Torn between the lover
And the love you leave behind
You're headed for disaster
'cos you never read the signs
Too much love will kill you
Every time...

                        -Queen-